Veterans Medical Center, in West Philadelphia, Honors Those Who Served
By David Madden
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Some 100 veterans marked the day in their honor today at the VA Medical Center in West Philadelphia. And even at this solemn occasion one could not avoid the ongoing controversy over veterans' care in this country.
Tears welled up in the eyes of retired US Air Force major Paula Johnson as she thanked and paid homage to her colleagues who put on the uniform and wore it with pride and respect.
"There's a lot that goes into that that people just don't really understand," she said, "so I want to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so very much for your service. And not only the service that you have rendered but the legacy that you will leave for your family and for your friends."
Amid the traditional speeches, parades, and wreath-laying ceremonies came an acknowledgement that the Veterans Administration has fallen short of its vow to serve those who served our country.
But Coy Smith (below), associate director of the center, says that is going to change.
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"It is so important that we at VA do everything in our power to rebuild trust in our nation's veterans and our other stakeholders, improving the services of the care that we deliver and focus on better veteran outcomes," he said today.
Participants then walked next door to the Woodlands Cemetery, where special honors were paid to two who served in the Civil War: surgeon John Britton and nurse Emily Souder.
